Top Menu

  • en

The Reichstag – A Berlin Phoenix From the Flames

The Reichstag from the Platz der Republik in BerlinThe view from the roof of the Reichstag must be one of the best free views in Berlin.

 

The Reichstag, built to house the German parliament, was formally opened on 5 December 1894 but shortly after the Nazis came to power in 1933 it was ravaged by fire.

During the years of division, the parliamentary seat of the Bundesrepublik Deutschland (West Germany) was in Bonn but following reunification the Bundestag (German parliament) voted to return the seat of power to BerlinSir Norman Foster was selected to draw up the plans for the reconstruction of the building and the Reichstag resumed its function as the parliamentary home in 1999, complete with a spectacular glass domed roof.

The glass dome on the roof of the Reichstag from Platz des 18. Mai in Berlin

The cupola is 40 metres in diameter and a spiralling walkway allows visitors to climb to a viewing platform below the opening in its roof.

The spiralling walkway of the dome of the Reichstag in Berlin

Tourists passing the German flag as they climb the dome of the Reichstag in Berlin

The opening allows stale air to escape from the plenary chamber below and the light sculpture, a cone of 360 mirrors, reflects light back down reducing the energy needed to light the chamber.

The light sculpture in the dome of the Reichstag in Berlin

A giant sunshade rotates with the movement of the sun to reduce the glare of the reflected light.

The light sculpture and sunshade in the dome of the Reichstag in Berlin

The energy needs of the building are also served by 300 square metres of solar panels on the roof.

Even on a rainy day the elevated position affords some wonderful views over Berlin.

The Federal Chancellery from the dome of the Reichstag in Berlin

On a clear day you can see far into the distance and pick out many of Berlin’s landmark buildings with the help of the leaflet ‘Outlooks Berlin panorama: View from the dome’ available in the reception area.

The Carillion and Tiergarten in the foreground and Funkturm (West Berlin’s TV Tower) in the background.

The Carillion and Tiergarten in the foreground and Funkturm (West Berlin’s TV Tower) in the background

The Siegessäule rising from the Tiergarten and in the far distance the former NSA listening station at Teufelsberg.

The Siegessäule rising from the Tiergarten and in the far distance the former NSA listening station at Teufelsberg in Berlin

An audio guide is also available free of charge and provides a commentary to accompany the climb up to the top of the dome and the return to the roof.

The German flag flies from three of the four corners of the roof.  The flag of the European Union flies from the other corner.

The German flag flying on the roof of the Reichstag in Berlin

The stonework around the roof space is decorated with some very impressive statues and figureheads.

A carved figurehead in the stonework around the roof of the Reichstag in Berlin

Visits to the Reichstag in Berlin are only possible with an advanced registration on the Bundestag website and don’t forget to take photo id with you on your visit.

, , , , , ,

15 Responses to The Reichstag – A Berlin Phoenix From the Flames

  1. gemmaiobrien 14 May, 2012 at 13:29 #

    I didn’t know you could have go inside, cool. Will remember that for next time. Have you been to the listening post in Teufelsberg?

    • andBerlin 14 May, 2012 at 14:52 #

      I went to Teufelsberg on my second trip in 2010 and absolutely loved it. In fact, it ranks as one of my best experiences. I’ve included a link to my post about it in this post. Have you been?

      • gemmaiobrien 14 May, 2012 at 17:23 #

        I haven’t been unfortunately but James (below) has. He’s written about his experience of it on his blog. I’m not great with heights – did you go high up? Will check out your entry on the listening post!

      • andBerlin 14 May, 2012 at 18:52 #

        It was James’s post about Teufelsberg that first lead me to his blog. I went to the top and the dome of the tallest tower is the most incredible the domes I saw. I’ve never experienced a sound as disorientating as my own footsteps echoing around in there! I can understand that it wouldn’t be the best experience for you if you’re not good with heights though! Luckily Berlin has plenty to see at ground level too.

  2. thebaronblog 14 May, 2012 at 13:48 #

    Wow, didn’t know you could see the spy station from there. It really was quite obvious wasn’t it?

    • andBerlin 14 May, 2012 at 14:55 #

      James, when I took that photo I hadn’t heard of Teufelsberg but was curious about the odd shaped building. When I was looking back over my photos a couple of years later I was amazed that it was so clearly visible.

  3. robschofieldphotography 15 May, 2012 at 00:05 #

    Nice photographs. Really like the 5th one down. Great reflections.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Hitler’s Folly – Schwerbelastungskörper - 29 July, 2015

    […] for this boulevard were never realised the Siegessäule was moved from its original position near the Reichstag in […]

  2. Hotel Adlon Pariser Platz: Snapshot - andBerlin - 30 July, 2015

    […] in Berlin with views over the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) and is a short walk from the Reichstag, the Tiergarten and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of […]

  3. Visiting the Reichstag: the ghosts of history | That's How The Light Gets In - 17 August, 2015

    […] The Reichstag – A Berlin Phoenix From the Flames: superb photos (andBerlin blog) […]

  4. LEGO Architecture Berlin Cityscape - andBerlin - 10 December, 2015

    […] Berlin set includes 289 pieces that together form the building blocks for: the Reichstag; the Siegessäule, the Victory Column; the Bahntower, Deutche Bahn headquarters on Potsdamer Platz; […]

  5. David Bowie Berlin Concert – 1987 GLASS SPIDER Tour - andBerlin - 17 January, 2016

    […] 6 June 1987 as part of his GLASS SPIDER tour Bowie performed on a stage in front of the Reichstag with thousands of fans filling the Platz der Republik as part of the three day ‘Concert for […]

  6. Berlin City by Matthias Makarinus - andBerlin - 24 February, 2016

    […] spring and autumn; under blue, black, pink, orange and grey skies.  We see the Berliner Dom, Reichstag and Fernsehturm. There are shots from the Berlin Marathon, Festival of Lights and No Pants Subway […]

  7. Escape From East Berlin - Swimming across the Spree - Berlin Love - 21 October, 2017

    […] The video entitled Swim for your life out of the GDR! on YouTube shows a daring escape from East Berlin across the River Spree near the Reichstag. […]

Leave a Reply